A knife-wielding youth fled empty-handed after being tackled by a very angry woman armed only with a biscuit tin when he tried to rob Rake Post Office and Stores.

Courageous shop owner Nirmala Fatania, 41, flew at the armed would-be robber when her anger overcame her fear.

Despite being threatened with the knife she clung grimly onto the till as he tried to wrench it from her, then screamed at him and chased him out of her shop waving a biscuit tin.

As he was leaving she slammed the biscuit tin on his getaway vehicle, causing damage which the police hope will help to identify the car.

The police, who have this week appealed for help in catching the youth, have praised Mrs Fatania for her bravery in the face of what they say could have turned into a very serious incident.

It was about 6 pm last Friday when the man in his late teens entered the stores, on the B2070, the old A3.

He bought sweets and left before returning and threatening Mrs Fatania with a knife, demanding money from the till.

Mrs Fatania has owned Rake Stores for nearly five years, but she had never had to face an incident like this before.

"When I saw the knife I screamed, but suddenly I was very angry when he demanded our hard-earned money - I was determined he wasn't going to get it," said Mrs Fatania.

"I grabbed the nearest thing, which happened to be a biscuit tin, and said 'If you touch me with that knife I'll hit you over the head'.

"He asked again for the money but I said 'If you don't get out of my shop I'll throw a jar of chillies at you'.

"He tried to grab the till but I held on to it. He pushed it and the top section fell off. He then quickly left the shop.

"I chased after him with the tin of biscuits and I slammed it onto the car boot as hard as I could, I was so furious. Then I flagged down a car and a father and daughter stopped to help me. The man with the knife drove off towards Liphook. The car passengers came in and called the police."

Looking back at her anger during the incident, Mrs Fatania said: "I think it was the adrenaline, but I was determined he was not going to get away with our money."

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "Mrs Fatania was extremely brave in what could have developed into a very nasty incident.

"We would be grateful for any additional information anyone can give us. Please remember that Mrs Fatania did manage to damage the boot of the car ,and this should be obvious. Please let us know if you see a car damaged in this way."

The man is described as in his late teens, 5ft 4in, with dark brown hair and wearing a black padded jacket with horizontal seams, blue jeans and brown/beige trainers. His car was a green Ford Fiesta and the registration began with K.

Anyone who recognises the man or the car or has any information is asked to contact Chichester detectives on 0845 60 70 999.